SCHOOL leaders were quizzed by parents over proposals to form a multi academy trust in Bridport.

Plans have been launched for the Sir John Colfox Academy to join forces with Bridport Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School and Burton Bradstock Primary School.

In a multi academy trust, all four schools would receive their share of the money that currently goes to the local authority to support schools.

They would then have the flexibility to focus this on their own priorities, with an executive principal appointed to oversee the trust.

Headteachers and governors held a public consultation at Sir John Colfox, addressing concerns over finance and who would make up the academy board – while insisting the schools would keep their own authority and values.

Debbie Brown, head at Bridport Primary School, said that it was better for the schools to become part of an academy trust on their own terms.

“We will avoid being forced into anything we don’t want to do by making decisions about our future” she said.

“Academies are here to stay, and whether or not we think they are a good idea, what you don’t want is being forced to work with people you don’t want to.”

Helen Farmer, head of St Mary’s, told parents that no members of staff will lose any pay and conditions and that pupils who join the Colfox Academy from schools which are not part of the trust will not be disadvantaged.

Former governor Cllr Ron Coastworth, who represents Bridport at district and county level, questioned why other schools were not involved. He was told by chairman of governors at Bridport Primary, David Powell, that schools such as Symondsbury and Powerstock have decided not to be involved at the moment.

Kay Taylor, headteacher at Sir John Colfox, was keen to stress that a multi academy trust would enable each child’s needs to be followed right the way through their school journey.

Parents raised concerns about the school’s budgets, and whether the smaller schools would be disadvantaged.

But Mrs Brown said each school would retain its own budget, but there would be a ‘shared funding pot’ across the institutions in order for them to work together on projects.

Assurances were also made that the trust would not be headed by a corporation, as has happened with some academy trusts.

Julian Piper, chairman of governors at Burton Bradstock , said: “Our board will be here in the local area. It will understand the needs of Bridport as a town and the villages around it."